As exclusively revealed in The Western Mail, the Dragons have targeted the 31-times capped Fleck as the man to add strength, pace and experience to their midfield.

Now they are set to hold talks with his agent this week as they look to complete their squad ahead of their official launch later this month.

Chief executive David Jenkins said, "We are trawling the world for an outside centre. It's a position we do have to go outside Wales to fill.

"Robbie's agent will be back from South Africa this week and we are hoping to have talks with him. In an ideal world, I would like to get an outside centre on board before our launch on July 28."

Fleck, who turns 28 on Thursday, failed to make the South Africa 22 for last weekend's opening Tri-Nations match against Australia.

And he hasn't been included in a 26-man squad for next Saturday's Test against New Zealand in Pretoria - despite the withdrawal of fellow outside centre Marius Joubert through injury.

This would seem to cast doubt over his chances of making the World Cup and, with his Western Province contract up this year, he may well decide to move abroad.

If he does join the Dragons, he would renew a centre partnership with Andy Marinos, who he partnered for three seasons with Western Province and the Stormers.

USA Eagles centre Phil Eloff - who is 24 with 22 caps - could be an alternative target if the talks with Fleck fail to bear fruit.

The Gwent region may well also have to go outside of Wales to find a replacement for No 8 Andy Powell, who has joined French club Beziers.

They are understood to be in discussions with an English-based international back rower.

Meanwhile, negotiations are still continuing between Newport and Ebbw Vale over the Dragons making use of Rodney Parade as a venue. The rental fee Newport were seeking for the ground has been a point of contention.

Jenkins went on record last week as saying the team will play at Rodney Parade and remains insistent that the matter will be resolved with that end result, even though talks are continuing.

"There are ongoing negotiations between the two parties and there are some issues still to be resolved," said Jenkins.

"But they will be resolved - they have got to be because we have to get cracking."